Tamiflu And Other Fun Facts (Swine Flu Redux)

The shelf life of Tamiflu is three years. After that, it cannot be used.

The last time governments around the world (especially the U.S.) stockpiled Tamiflu was in 2006 (3 years ago). Said stock piles can no longer be used.

The reason Tamiflu was stockpiled by governments in 2006 - avian (bird) flu, aka SARS.

The reason governments around the world are once again stockpiling Tamiflu - the H1N1 virus aka swine flu.

Parallels between SARS and H1N1:

Widespread fear, primarily fostered by the World Health Organization (WHO), The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), various governments and the media.

Economic and social turmoil.

Widespread slaughter of chickens (SARS) and pigs (H1N1).

World placed on alert for widespread pandemic(s).

Talk of government-enforced quarantines.

Huge financial windfall for the makers of Tamiflu (as well as for other vaccine makers). Ka-Ching! Ka-Ching!

Last swine flu outbreak - 1976.

Some noteworthy results of 1976 swine flu outbreak:

Zero to few deaths directly caused by swine flu (depending on one's source).

At least 25 people killed as a direct result of being vaccinated in order to be protected from swine flu.

Dozens of people paralyzed as a direct result of receiving said vaccinations, including healthy people in their 20s. (The paralysis was caused by Guillain Barre, a nerve disorder caused by the vaccine.)

Potential side effects caused by Tamiflu vaccine:

Brain Infections

Convulsions

Delirium

Psychotic Behavior

Death (over a dozen Japanese teenagers died as a direct result of being vaccinated with Tamiflu; for this reason Tamiflu has been banned in Japan since 2007).

Other, more common side effects of Tamiflu:

Coughing

Diarrhea

Dizziness

Fainting

Headache

Nausea

Vomiting

All of which can also be caused by swine and other types of flu.

Time decrease of swine flu symptoms Tamiflu is said to achieve by its manufacturer: 24-36 hours.

Total confirmed swine flu deaths as of this writing (last time I checked-May 5, 2009): 19

Average number of people killed by lightning strikes each year - 1,100-1,200.

Yep, we have a pandemic all right!

Primary take away message of WHO, CDC, world governments, and the media regarding H1N1 virus:

Be afraid! Be very afraid!

Your choice: To believe or not to believe.